Jeep owner trading for 4Runner - need to pick trim (Off-Road Premium vs. Limited)

[SoCal Off Roader]

I am upgrading from a well-kitted-out Jeep Rubicon because the Jeep was one mechanical problem after another at 70,000 miles.

My preference is to do most of the kitting in the aftermarket, rather than pay up for overpriced OEM supplies. Still, I need to pick the right trim. I am quite shocked that skid plates aren't included though.

I'll be doing a lot of LA freeway driving in addition to fairly technical desert off-roading, though I'm not a hardcore rock crawler. Obviously the Jeep sucked for commuting.

Questions:

1) The hybrid powertrain adds nothing to mileage, but does add torque. I'm not a rock crawler, but I don't want to get stuck in sand. Is the extra torque of the hybrid worth the price and extra complexity?

2) Do I want part time or full time 4 WD? I'm used to 4H and 4L in my Rubicon. And obviously 2H for pavement.

3) It's mostly between Off Road Premium and Limited trim but I'll need to understand the answer to Question 2 before deciding. Any other considerations between the two trims?

 

[Trailhunter4R]

Hey welcome to the site, it's always good to see Jeep converts. Here's my take...

1) No doubt more torque would help get the 4runner out from being stuck in terrain whether that's sand, mud, rocks, whatever. Whether it's worth the price depends on your budget of course and how much you might be wheeling in terrain that you might get stuck in. Also, how important is cargo space and layout to you? The hybrid models lose some cargo area due to the raised cargo floor height, which also makes loading/unloading more effort.

2) Personally I prefer having part-time 4WD vs. full-time 4WD. It's nice being able to tell the 4Runner when to use 4WD (off-roading). You get more control over it when you can tell it what to do. To me, full-time 4WD feels more like a luxury feature, or for AWD SUVS.

 

[4running]

To add to the part-time vs. full-time 4WD discussion, here's a post by @kzrman that I bookmarked since I found it helpful. He articulated it better than I can.

If full time 4WD has a wider range of capability, why wouldn't the Pro and Trailhunter be full time? Price point?

It would not be more advantageous to have a full-time AWD SUV for off-roading compared to a part-time 4WD system. Here's why:​

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Off-road capability: Part-time 4WD systems are generally more capable in extreme off-road conditions than full-time AWD systems​

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Low-range gearing: Most part-time 4WD systems offer low-range gearing, which is crucial for tackling steep inclines and difficult terrain​

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Locking differentials: Many 4WD vehicles come equipped with locking differentials, which provide superior traction in challenging off-road situations​

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Driver control: Part-time 4WD allows drivers to manually engage or disengage the system as needed, providing more control over power distribution​

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Fuel efficiency: When not engaged, part-time 4WD systems are more fuel-efficient than full-time AWD systems, as they operate in two-wheel drive on normal roads​

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Durability: Traditional 4WD systems are often built with more robust components, making them better suited for harsh off-road conditions​

 

[HVLA]

Off-Road trim is always the sweet spot.

 

[zesh]

Durability: Traditional 4WD systems are often built with more robust components, making them better suited for harsh off-road conditions

This is the part I’m curious about. Aren’t the torsen diffs on the ft 4wd friction based? Just based on that it would seem it’d have a limited life in comparison. Anyone have info on expected lifetime for that component?

 

[LLL1990]

Off-road capability: Part-time 4WD systems are generally more capable in extreme off-road conditions than full-time AWD systems

Not really. There is a reason the Land Cruiser, GX and LX have the full-time system. So does Land Rover and Mercedes G-Wagon. Full-time systems also have locking differentials with the LX having locking front, center and rear differentials.

 

[Cajun_Mike]

I'm also a Jeep owner looking to replace with a 4runner.

My 2015 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit is now 10 years old and only has 60k miles on it but it's time to move on.. I can't believe how much Jeep is asking for the same trim level and specs a decade later. 22 thousand more!

I test drove the new Land Cruiser as well as the Lexus GX and did not like. Plus a good friend of mine has already replaced his windshield twice due to that upright windshield being a chip magnet.

Last Friday I test drove a 4runner TRD sport and I really like the way it handled. Salesman initially told me that Limited trim levels might not be on the lot until the fall but then hours later said could get some this summer.

If they are going to be that late, might it be wise to wait for a 2026 because in my case i'm hoping for a possible silver color option.

 

[Jpr18]

Based on your use case, you will 100% want the TRD Off-Road Premium.

1. Electronically locking rear differential
2. Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), Crawl Control, and Downhill Assist Control
3. Multi-Terrain Monitor offroad camera system

You can't retrofit any of those features on a Limited. It does have skid plates, they are just composite. I have OEM composite (plastic + carbon fiber) skid plates on my current vehicle and it's been very durable. It's not aluminum or steel, but it's something.

In terms of gas vs. hybrid -- I can't speak to off-road performance differences, but keep in mind the hybrid is heavier. The fuel economy difference is actually quite noticeable if you do a lot of city or suburban driving. When I drove a gas Tacoma and hybrid Tacoma back to back, I preferred the hybrid. I suggest you do the same in the meantime!

 

[Ringneck]

I'm a Jeep owner too and I'm going to make the switch to a 4Runner, likely this summer or fall. I'm starting to do occasional long-distance highway commuting and the Wrangler isn't cutting it anymore so I need something more comfortable but I still want some capability. I'd love to go TRD Pro but it's hard to justify the price so I'm debating the ORP, ORP Hybrid and Sport Prem. I prefer the styling of ORP but get the Sport might be a little more highway friendly, really want to compare hybrid and non-hybrid once I get serious.

 

[nh1ingy]

We just went from a loaded 2021 JLU Sahara to a 25 TRD Off Road Premium. Ours has the part time 4wd and is like our jeep was. We loved the jeep and it was starting to have problems. At high rpm's it would run rough and throw a cel constantly, then reset once it was driven for a while. We threw parts at it to fix a misfire, but it kept coming back. The TRD adds more comfort, better gas mileage and is still plenty capable off road. The jeep was traded with 116k on the odometer.

 

[Dphotos]

I am upgrading from a well-kitted-out Jeep Rubicon because the Jeep was one mechanical problem after another at 70,000 miles.

My preference is to do most of the kitting in the aftermarket, rather than pay up for overpriced OEM supplies. Still, I need to pick the right trim. I am quite shocked that skid plates aren't included though.

I'll be doing a lot of LA freeway driving in addition to fairly technical desert off-roading, though I'm not a hardcore rock crawler. Obviously the Jeep sucked for commuting.

Questions:

1) The hybrid powertrain adds nothing to mileage, but does add torque. I'm not a rock crawler, but I don't want to get stuck in sand. Is the extra torque of the hybrid worth the price and extra complexity?

2) Do I want part time or full time 4 WD? I'm used to 4H and 4L in my Rubicon. And obviously 2H for pavement.

3) It's mostly between Off Road Premium and Limited trim but I'll need to understand the answer to Question 2 before deciding. Any other considerations between the two trims?

I had a 1984 Jeep Wagonner before I bought my 1997 4Runner. I can't tell you how many times that car was in the shop after 60,000 miles. Let's just say many times. The motor mounts always broke along with the rear seal leaking oil all over the driveway. I still drive my 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited I bought new as my daily driver and I did rebuild the motor at around 240,000 because of a head gasket leak other than that my Toyota was never in the shop except for regular maintenance work. Consumer Reports rate all the Jeep models on the bottom of their list for reliability. Never in a million years would I buy a Jeep again. I placed an order for a Gen 6 4Runner IForce Max with a Douthern California dealer. I just haven't wait until an Underground Gray exterior and a Portobello interior comes in. Just have to wait for an allotment. The only 4 Wheeling I would be doing would be on snowy and ice roads when going skiing.